Minneapolis Public Schools are closed for the remainder of the week after several incidents that occurred on Wednesday, January 7th amidst the presence of over 2,000 federal law enforcement agents in the state. In a statement, the district said that “out of an abundance of caution, there will be no school on Thursday, January 8, 2026 and Friday, January 9, 2026 due to safety concerns related to today’s incidents around the city.” The statement continued, “All MPS-sponsored programs, activities, athletics, Community Education, including Adult Education, will be cancelled.” The district said it “will continue collaborating with the City of Minneapolis and other partners on emergency preparedness and response.” In a separate statement, The Minneapolis Federation of Educators added, “We will not tolerate ICE inhibiting our city’s youth from their constitutional right to attend school safely or inhibiting educators from doing their job.”

This announcement came after a woman was shot and killed by an ICE agent in South Minneapolis on Wednesday. The Minnesota Star Tribune said that this prompted “protests, sharp rebukes from city leaders, and calls for an independent investigation.” The Department of Homeland Security said that the agent fired “defensive shots,” but the Star Tribune interviewed a witness, Aiden Perzana, that said “They’re whitewashing it; that’s absolutely not what happened.” Just hours later, dozens of U.S. Border Patrol officers were present at Roosevelt High School’s dismissal where they arrested two staff members and deployed chemical weapons on bystanders, according to MPR News. We want to make sure you know where to find reliable information, what school and district leaders are saying, how to share your voice, and what your rights are.

News Coverage

Live updates from The Minnesota Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/ice-raids-minnesota/601546426

The latest from MPR News: mprnews.org

NBC News article on Roosevelt High School incident: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/minneapolis-schools-cancel-classes-ice-raid-high-school-day-renee-nico-rcna253081

Southwest High School Statements

Southwest principal Dr. Bennett sent an email to families on Thursday afternoon. He acknowledged the concern many in our school community are feeling today and shared information on how a safe and orderly transition back to school will occur.

On Instagram, the Student Council shared the following message from school administration: “We are all about the safety and security of every student. The Southwest community is one that students and families should feel comfortable to rely on in difficult times.” In an earlier message posted to Instagram, Southwest High School said “During this difficult time, we stand together as a Southwest Community. Lakers, please take care of yourself and each other. If you are a family or student in need, please reach out to a social worker, school counselor or a school administrator.”

Student Council and Black Student Union posted information on Instagram about your rights, what to do if you encounter ICE, and how to get support from Southwest staff. You can view the post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTQ-dY9khf7/?igsh=MXJ5a2g0c3g0cWczeg==

Minneapolis Public Schools Statement

In an email sent to families on Wednesday prior to the school cancellations, Minneapolis Public Schools said “We understand the fear and concern in our community and are here to support students, staff, and families.” They reminded families that they have:

• Safety and security protocols and policies to promote safe and welcoming environments

• Resources specific to immigration enforcement action

• Trained staff including social workers, counselors and mental health staff available in our schools to support students and connect families to resources

They are asking families to:

• Ensure you have updated contact information with your school

• Check in with your student(s) and work with school support staff to provide any needed support

• Monitor the City’s resource page for updates about our city’s response to federal action

The statement concluded: “We are committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe, welcoming, and supportive environments. We will move through challenging times as we always do – with grace, empathy, and compassion. If you have any questions, please contact your school.”

The district also shared this link with information about community sites that will provide no-cost healthy meals and snacks on Thursday and Friday: https://www.mpschools.org/departments/cws/community-sites

Student Perspectives

Members of the school community, particularly students, are encouraged to share with us their opinions on the events occurring in our city. Letters can be sent via email: [email protected]. Make sure to include your name and a title. They will be published online and may also be published in a future print issue. Here is The Navigator’s policy on letters to the editor: The Navigator accepts and will publish letters to the editor from members of the school community. We ask that letters to the editor be no more than 300 words. The Navigator staff reserves the right to edit letters for content, length, and grammar. The Navigator staff also reserves the right to withhold from publication any letter for incriminating reasons or with regard to defamation. Please reach out to us with any questions on Instagram (@swhs.navigator) or by email.

Know Your Rights + Legal Resources

As many protests take place across the city, it is important to know your rights as a protestor. This guide from the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota provides extensive information: https://www.aclu-mn.org/know-your-rights/what-if-im-attending-protest/

Some key points from this guide are:

• Your rights are strongest in public forums like streets, sidewalks, and in front of government buildings, as long as you are not blocking access or interfering with operations.
• When lawfully present in any public space, it is your right to photograph or record anything in plain view, including police.
• Police may not confiscate or demand to view photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they delete data under any circumstances.
• If you are stopped or detained by police:
  • Stay calm and keep your hands visible. Don’t argue, resist or obstruct police, even if you think they are violating your rights.
  • Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly walk away.
  • If you are under arrest, you have a right to ask why. Otherwise, say you wish to stay silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don’t say or sign anything without a lawyer.

This fact sheet from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota provides information on your rights when interacting with federal law enforcement: https://www.ilcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02.24.25-Know-Your-Rights-KYR-FactSheet.pdf. You can find the same fact sheet in Spanish here: https://www.ilcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02.24.25-Spanish-Translation-Know-your-Rights.pdf.

Here are the main bullet points from that fact sheet:

• You have the right to remain silent.
• Carry a know-your-rights card and show it if an immigration officer stops you.
• Do not open your door unless an ICE agent shows you a warrant signed by a judge with your correct name and address on it.
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer.
• Do not sign anything until you talk to a lawyer.
• Always carry with you any valid immigration documents you have.
• Remain as calm as possible and do not run away.
• If you witness ICE activity such as a raid or arrest: You have the right to take videos, photos, and written documentation.

There are extensive details about each of these bullet points at the link above.

The following are a number of legal resources available to immigrants.

• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM)
  • Nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota.
  • Visit their website at www.ilcm.org or call at 1-800-223-1368.

• Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA)
  • Legal aid organization that provides free attorneys to low-income and senior residents of central Minnesota. 
  • Visit their website at mylegalaid.org or call at (877)-696-6529.

• Minnesota’s Immigration Legal Services Hub Initiative
  • A group of organizations working together to increase access to immigration legal services in Minnesota.
  • The Hub puts on regular legal clinics in Minnesota. At the clinics, people can talk to immigration lawyers about their immigration cases for free.
  • Visit their website at lawhelpmn.org. 

• Minnesota State Law Library
  • Provides extensive guides, connections to immigration law assistance, and general information.
  • Visit their website at mn.gov/law-library/.